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The Solihull Gateway project aims to expand the pedestrian realm along Station Road in the Solihull center. As there are a few concerns that I had over it, I took a trip down to Solihull Library to attend the consultation event. Here are my thoughts and the responses given.

Source: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Attachments/Theme3_P.pdf

Central to the project (literally) is the shared space ‘courtesy crossing’, that will replace the existing light controlled crossing. The idea being that buses will give way to pedestrian traffic crossing the central area and therefore reduce motor vehicle dominance, however there are some potential issues. My concerns are that either pedestrians dominate the central area and require buses to ‘nudge’ their way through the crowds to make headway, or (more likely) pedestrians will see the central area as a road and give way to buses. Therefore creating an even worse crossing situation than before (after all, how many people would be willing to assert their right to the space in the face of a couple of tons of metal). A similar situation has occurred in a similar project in London: ExhibitionRoad.
The responses to the issues that I raised were along the lines of:

Bus companies and drivers will be briefed on the need to give way appropriately.

Bus services will potentially be increased to the area.

Slow speeds will enable mixing.

However I still have my doubts over the use of shared space, for one thing the edge of the central section of the shared space, despite being the same type of paving as the pavement area, is clearly marked as separate. This reinforces the central space as being a section of ‘road’ and therefore the dominion of motorised traffic, however if the edge strips were removed it would encourage the section to be viewed as an extension of the pavement. Therefore encouraging pedestrians to view it as their space.

Another potential issue is cyclist access to the area. This is the current layout:

Once you get to the end of the pavement path, there is a toucan crossing that allows you to either join the traffic flow and cycle in between the buses to the touchwood stands. Or cross onto the pavement and wheel your bike to one of the stands. The new layout looks something like this:

Cyclists are supposed to either use both pedestrian crossings, by turning right onto a the narrow corner strip and then left across with the pedestrians again. Or alternately, attempt to cross three lanes of un-signalised traffic and then either scoot onto the pavement or join the traffic flow. The stands at the beginning of the high street will again only be accessible by wheeling your bike along the pavement or joining the bus flow.
Responses:

‘Confident cyclists’ will be able to cut the corner.

Nothing can be done about the amount of space on the shared use corner, due to the church grounds.

There is a likelihood of the junction with Herbert Road becoming severely congested and blocked when queues to enter the John Lewis parking are at their worst (e.g. during festive periods)

There is the possibility of converting the pavement next to the bus stops to shared use if cyclists increase in number. (No proper response to my concern that increasing numbers of cyclists and pedestrians don’t mix).

There was a plan to put cycle infrastructure down the middle of the bus area, but due to the complications and safety issues, it didn’t make the final plans.

Official response is that as cyclists only make up 2% of all traffic (about 4 an hour apparently), they cannot be appropriately planned for.

However there are quite a few positive points to the scheme:

In many areas of the project the crossing distances have been decreased significantly.

Relocating the taxi ranks and service road exit should reduce traffic through the bus/pedestrian area.

Increased pedestrian space, plaza style.

Tidier bus area which should reduce delays and conflicts.

Removal of traffic signals at the Herbert Road end should also promote bus efficiency.

Re-arranging of the bus stops creates more space and opens up the pavement just where it is needed.

Trees are always nice.

Increase of the 20 mph zone, always a good thing.

If the concerns that I have over this scheme are ironed out, this project looks like a pretty good step forward.

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One Response to “Solihull Gateway Project”

By law they have to provide space for cyclists however apprently not in Solihull.
They are supposed to promote it so the arguement that there are not enough does not make sense and as the bike stands are always full in solihull there must be more than 4 an hour.
My major problem with this plan is half of the changes are designed to make a cyclist’s journey worse. Raised zebra crossing are a nightmare, and letting pedestians and buses fight it out is what happens in your video only worse!
By the way you had the wrong line through the traffic lights according to the Government and Bikeability, you should be in the middle of the road controling the flow of traffic. I only point that out because when the lights change behind you a taxi will think they can fit and it it gives you room when the car pulls out from the car park at the side. Now think what that is going to be like without lights?